The barnacles will keep the prop from reaching anywhere near max rpm and
could damage cutlass bearing if run out of balance long enough.
Once clean the problem should resolve itself.
Good Luck
Mike
"Harvey Waxman" wrote in message
...
Would it be likely for a heavy growth of barnacles on a prop to prevent an
engine from getting up to speed?

I have a 21 HP Westerbeke which won't go above 1500 RPM in gear but has no
trouble in neutral. I dove down and the prop turns easily enough when not
engaged but is loaded with barnacles worse than I have ever seen it.

I'm going back down to scrape but was wondering if I have more problems
than
that?

Thanks

Harvey


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